Hue Travel Guide: Where to Eat, Stay and Explore

Hue - the ancient capital of Vietnam is a destination not to be missed with world cultural heritage, diverse cuisine and beautiful natural landscapes. This A-Z Hue travel guide will help you have a perfect trip.

Prices, schedules, venue names and operating conditions may change. Confirm current details directly before booking.

1. Ideal time to travel to Hue

• Dry season (March - August): The weather is most beautiful, sunny, little rain. Especially in March-April there is Hue Festival
• Rainy season (September - December): Lots of rain and storms. However, this season, the Huong River is large and poetic
• Recommendation: Go March-July. Avoid October-November because of storm season in the Central region

2. How to get to Hue

From Hanoi

• Airplane: Hanoi - Hue (1h15m), ticket price 1,500,000 VND-3,500,000 VND. You can fly to Da Nang (1 hour and 15 minutes, cheaper) and then drive 3 hours to Hue
• Train: Hanoi - Hue SE1/SE3/SE5 (12-14 hours), price 500,000 VND-1,500,000 VND
• Passenger bus: Hanoi - Hue sleeper (12-14 hours), price 350,000 VND-500,000 VND

From Saigon

• Airplane: Saigon - Hue (1h30m), ticket price 1,500,000 VND-4,000,000 VND
• Train: SE2/SE4/SE6 (20-22 hours), price 600,000 VND-2,000,000 VND
• Sleeper coach: 18-22 hours, typically 450,000-700,000 VND

From Da Nang

• Coach or taxi: Da Nang - Hue (3 hours via Hai Van pass), price 200,000 VND-500,000 VND
• Train: Da Nang - Hue (2h30m-3h30m), price 80,000 VND - 300,000 VND

3. Stay in Hue

Recommended area to stay

• Pham Ngu Lao West Street - Chu Van An: Many hotels, restaurants, bars. Suitable for young people
• North bank of Perfume River (Le Loi - Tran Hung Dao): Near the Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda. Family-friendly
• Kim Long - Vi Da: Quiet, near the mausoleums. Many beautiful homestays

Hotel rates

• Homestay: 200,000 VND-400,000 VND/night
• 2-star hotel: 350,000 VND-500,000 VND/night
• 3-star hotel: 600,000 VND-1,200,000 VND/night
• 4-5 star resort: 1,500,000 VND-5,000,000 VND/night

4. Must-see sights

Historical site

• Hue Citadel (Citadel) - 200,000 VND
• Khai Dinh Tomb - 150,000 VND
• Tomb of Tu Duc - 150,000 VND
• Minh Mang Tomb - 150,000 VND
• Thien Mu Pagoda - free

Nature

• Perfume River - boat ride 200,000 VND-500,000 VND
• Ngu Binh Mountain - free
• Thuan An Beach - free
• Vong Canh Hill - free

Culture

• Dong Ba Market - free
• An Hien garden house - 50,000 VND
• Royal Fine Arts Museum - 50,000 VND

5. Hue dishes worth trying

Hue beef noodle soup

Hue beef noodle soup is a famous dish of the ancient capital. Good restaurants: Ba Dung beef noodle soup (71 Kiet 28 Le Loi), Ong Pha beef noodle soup (17 Pho Duc Chinh), Huong beef noodle soup (73 Dang Tran Con). Price 30,000 VND-50,000 VND/bowl.

Banh beo, nam, filter

These small steamed rice cakes are Hue staples. Suggested places in the source include Banh Beo Ba Phuoc (15 Pho Duc Chinh) and Banh Nam Loc Hanh (71 Kiet 28 Le Loi). A portion was listed at 10,000-15,000 VND.

Mussel rice

Traditional dishes of Hue people. Good restaurant: Ba Trieu mussel rice (77/7 Chi Lang - 33 Dong Da). Price 20,000 VND-30,000 VND/portion.

Hue sweet soup

Hue has a wide variety of che desserts. The source suggests Che Hem (Alley 29 Hung Vuong) and Che Sao - Thanh Tam (37 Dinh Tien Hoang), with a listed price of 10,000-25,000 VND per cup.

Royal rice

Experience royal cuisine. Restaurant: Tinh Gia Vien, Khong Gian Xua, Royal Park - Royal Park. Price 200,000 VND-500,000 VND/person.

6. Sample itinerary 2 days 1 night Hue

Day 1: Citadel + Thien Mu Pagoda + Perfume River

• 08:00: Breakfast - Hue beef noodle soup
• 09:00-12:00: Visit the Imperial Citadel (3 hours)
• 12:30: Lunch - mussel rice
• 14:00-16:00: Thien Mu Pagoda + boat trip on Perfume River
• 17:00: Vong Canh Hill to watch the sunset
• 19:00: Dinner - royal dinner
• 20:00: Dragon boat on Perfume River listening to Hue songs

Day 2: 3 royal mausoleums + Dong Ba market

• 08:00: Breakfast - Nam Loc banh beo
• 09:00-12:00: Minh Mang Tomb + Tu Duc Tomb (near each other)
• 12:30: Lunch
• 14:00-16:00: Khai Dinh Mausoleum
• 16:30-18:00: Dong Ba Market for specialty shopping
• 19:00: Dinner - Hue dessert

7. Travel expenses to Hue are independent

2 days 1 night (odd person)

• Accommodation: 500,000 VND
• Transportation: 300,000 VND (motorbike rental for 2 days)
• Meals: 600,000 VND (6 meals)
• Sightseeing ticket: 700,000 VND
• Other: 200,000 VND
• Total: 2,300,000 VND/person

4D3N package tour from Quang Tri

Tour Central Heritage Journey 4D3N from Dong Hoi through Dong Ha - Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An. Price 4,600,000 VND/person, much more economical than paying for each trip on your own.

8. Hue travel tips

1. Buy mausoleum ticket combo: 3 mausoleums of Minh Mang, Tu Duc, Khai Dinh combo price 360,000 VND (save 90,000 VND)
2. Most convenient to ride a motorbike: Rent a motorbike 100,000 VND-150,000 VND/day
3. Avoid going October-November: Storm season, heavy rain, can get stuck
4. Try Hue shrimp paste: Specialty served with banh beo, beef noodle soup
5. Buy Hue conical hat: Traditional souvenir, price 30,000 VND-50,000 VND
6. Wear polite clothes: When visiting pagodas and mausoleums
7. Confirm current details with Moterra: Use the contact options on this page before booking.

Traveling to Hue is a great experience to learn about Vietnamese history and culture. Plan today to have a complete trip!